Young optometrists have been urged to make the most of the expert knowledge on offer via the BCLA, with practitioners warning colleagues they could be ‘missing out’ on vital advice. 

Fatima Nawaz, a councillor for the AOP representing early years optometrists, was one of a clutch of young practitioners attending the first ever BCLAUK and said she had been blown away by the two-day conference and exhibition. She said: “It was extremely insightful and gave me the chance to go to some amazing lectures on topics such as myopia control. It was an amazing event and the BCLA is definitely something young optometrists need to get into.  “You’re missing out if you’re not here at these things, I’d urge everyone to get along to the next one.”  

Delegates were able to pick the brains of some of the best practitioners in the business, with a series of lectures and workshops put together by BCLA Education Adviser Neil Retallic featuring the latest academic research and technological breakthroughs. Stephanie Davey (pictured) a newly qualified optometrist whose dissertation was on contact lenses, said: “It was a brilliant event. Coming along has reignited my passion for contact lenses.

“I was able to go along to a lot of the workshops and talks and it was really interesting. I’ve been able to pick up on other people’s experience and the advice they give to their patients. I have learnt so much from other people who have a lot more experience than me.

“It’s been good to discover new ways of getting patients to try contact lenses. Keeping up to date with new technology is vital, otherwise we’re not doing our jobs as practitioners properly.”

Another newly qualified optometrist, Luke Allen (pictured), was attending his first ever BCLA event, accompanying his employer to The Belfry. He said: “I’ve learned lots and it was a really good atmosphere, the place was buzzing. I didn’t really know what to expect and I thought it might just be a load of lectures but there was lots more going on.
“The attitude of all the people here really surprised me, everyone was really into it and they were open to talking to anyone who came up to them, even if they didn’t know them. 

“It’s been great to have someone at the top of their field giving me advice. You never stop learning and there’s no better way than to learn from those who have been doing it for a long time.

“The exhibition was a real surprise and people were happy to talk. I’ve got a lot of reading material to go through and it was very useful to talk to companies on a one-to-one basis.”